The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly among several teams showing interest in former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, according to The Athletic’s Diana Russini. Kupp, who earned Super Bowl 56 MVP honors, has connections to the Vikings’ coaching staff—head coach Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips both worked with him during the Rams’ championship season four years ago. Both coaches have praised Kupp over the years, and with his release by the Rams on Wednesday, March 12, he’s now a potential target for Minnesota.
“There are a lot of teams interested in [Cooper Kupp],” Russini shared on the “Gojo and Golic” podcast on March 13. “The price tag is reasonable—he’s seeking around $14 to $15 million. Seattle’s interested, Jacksonville’s keeping an eye on him, and the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are in the mix as well.”
While Minnesota has shown interest in Kupp, the team is also focusing on younger options in free agency. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Friday that former Falcons and Cardinals receiver Rondale Moore is visiting the Vikings as they explore additional possibilities.
Selected in the second round of the 2021 draft, Rondale Moore is significantly younger than Cooper Kupp at just 24 years old. The explosive slot receiver, listed at 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, showcased his speed and athleticism at the NFL Combine with an impressive 4.32-second 40-yard dash. At this point in their careers, Moore offers more versatility than Kupp. During his time with the Cardinals, he lined up all over the field—as an outside and slot receiver, and even took snaps out of the backfield.
Over three seasons with the Cardinals, Rondale Moore recorded 135 catches for 1,201 receiving yards, added 52 rushing attempts for 249 yards, and scored four total touchdowns. After being traded to the Falcons last offseason, Moore unfortunately suffered a season-ending knee injury during training camp.
When comparing Moore and Cooper Kupp, each presents a unique set of pros and cons. Kupp is nearing the end of his career and may be on the verge of decline, while Moore’s durability remains a question due to his injury history. That said, there’s a significant gap in their potential price tags. Kupp remains a dependable chain-mover, whereas Moore would likely be used as a gadget player—someone head coach Kevin O’Connell could get creative with when designing plays to get him the ball.
The Vikings have a clear need for more depth at wide receiver. Jalen Nailor has struggled to consistently fill the WR3 role, and Jordan Addison could face a suspension stemming from his DUI case, which is expected to reach a conclusion in Los Angeles later this year.
